Question about the GRE

[psychstudent1011]

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Which GRE practice tests (Kaplan, Princeton, Magoosh, etc.) are more like the actual GRE? I'm asking because I took two of the Kaplan tests and scored around a 150 on the Quant section, then took a test from the GRE website and only got a 140. I am very confused and have no accurate measure to indicate when I am ready to take this exam.

 

[PsychBiker]

All of the tests are different so you will get different scores. Do not rely on practice scores to decide if you are ready or not.

My opinion is to take the test when you feel ready regardless of what a practice test says.

 

[Rose Tyler]

Agreed. I can't really speak for other practice tests, but I took one of the ones on the GRE website and scored one point higher with Quantitative on the actual test and five points lower on Verbal. All the tests are different, practice or otherwise.

 

[jadezomb]

I do not recall which practice tests prepared me the most... But! I had a private tutor for the GRE and she had me doing GMAT math drills (because they are more difficult) and that significantly improved my both my GRE practice and official quant scores within a week. I would look into those if you have time! My tutor said if I could ace the GMAT practice tests, I would be fine for the GRE quant (and I was!). I am not sure if this still applies with the new GRE layout though, I took the old version.

 

[psychstudent1011]

Is it like this one: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/accessible/GRE_Practice_Test_1_Quant_18_point.pdf
It's from the ETS website but it is so much easier compared to other tests...

 

[Don713]

I'd go through the Manhatten 8 volume strategy guides you can buy it on amazon for like 80 bucks… they give you all the tools u need to tackle the test and get a strong score.

 

[modestmousktr]

Buying one Manhattan book will also give you access to six of their practice exams. I think their exams have great predictive validity. I took a test without any studying and got my exact same GRE score as I had on the real GRE, and by the time I took my final exam, it was the exact same score I got on my GRE retake. So, I think the questions are very similar, and they give you an analysis of what you got wrong as well. Just practice, practice, practice. My combined score bounced up 100 points on the old scale, so hopefully that's enough for acceptance this year 🙂 good luck.

 

[greorchid]

Buying one Manhattan book will also give you access to six of their practice exams. I think their exams have great predictive validity. I took a test without any studying and got my exact same GRE score as I had on the real GRE, and by the time I took my final exam, it was the exact same score I got on my GRE retake. So, I think the questions are very similar, and they give you an analysis of what you got wrong as well. Just practice, practice, practice. My combined score bounced up 100 points on the old scale, so hopefully that's enough for acceptance this year 🙂 good luck.

Are you referring to Manhattan's book for practice exams?

I have the same issue as OP. I took the GRE twice without studying and scored horribly on it (yeah, I know that's stupid). After some studying, I tried to take the ETS practice tests, and I scored similar to what I got on the actual exam. So I think ETS practice tests are very similar.

 

[Dr_lost]

Thank you for informing me about the Manhattan books. I was just thinking about what the OP stated.

But my question is:
What's the real GRE like? Did the questions mirror that of the real test?

I ask because I remember taking a practice ACT test and when it came time for the real ACT, the two tests were like Night and day. I still had a composite of 24 on the real test.

 

[Don713]

Powerprep II software from ETS site will give you the most realistic picture of the exam for instance every section will be arranged in similar fashion- my scores different in real life from any of my diagnostics (for the better)- the test can be pretty random at times but the manhattan 8 volume set of guides will give you all the tools you succeed on it.